Describe your life before the saving and redeeming grace of God in Christ.
I was an average kid just trying to make my parents proud of me and wanting to be accepted by others my age. I grew up going to church just about every Sunday and most Wednesdays. I learned all of the Bible stories most growing up in the South heard. As a child, I thought that if I worked hard to be good that God would be proud of me and would let me go to heaven. My uncle and my Sunday School teachers during my childhood led me to understand who Jesus was and what He did for me.
Describe how you came to know/embrace the redeeming grace of God in Christ?
During the summer before my 8th grade year, one Sunday in church the preacher was preaching I was struggling with the thought that I was lost and nothing I was doing made any difference. It was a literal battle going on inside of me. I remember that—during the invitation—I felt God telling me that I needed to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior because without Him I would not see heaven. I remember feeling like I was also being told, “You’re already saved and are going to embarrass yourself by stepping out and going down to the pastor.” It was in that moment I realized I was lost without Jesus and I wanted and needed Him. I knew I could not be “good enough” and He just wanted me the way I was. I don't remember stepping out but I remember falling on my knees at the alter and asking Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. The next week I was baptized in our city swimming pool.
What is the call of God upon your life now that you live for Christ as Savior and Lord?
The call of God on my life has always been to live in a way that is pleasing to my Lord and draws others in my life to want to follow Him as well. I have always been drawn to wanting to serve others with whatever talents God has given me. I guess that's why I served for almost 25 years in the Marine Corps and for almost 10 years as a sheriff's deputy wanting to protect and serve others. God has blessed me so much in my life: allowing me to teach Sunday school, sing for Him, work in vacation Bible school and to serve as a deacon in the churches I have been in since I was 35 years old. I wish I could say my walk with my Lord has always been smooth, but it has not! I am a sinner saved by God's grace and mercy! Without Jesus, who has never and will never give up on me, I would have no hope!!